Confused about Tire Pressure

[rrrich7]

Newbie here, have not been driving for very long. I'm concerned about my tire pressure and if I'm getting a flat tire. Yesterday I checked my tire pressure on one tire and set it to 34 psi, which is what the manufacturer recommended. This morning it looked low and I checked again, and now it says 28 psi. Is this a normal amount of air to lose? I drove about 70 miles this morning to work.

[beyondloadedSE]

At what temperature was the reading measured at 34 psi and at 28 psi?

[rrrich7]

Originally Posted by beyondloadedSE

At what temperature was the reading measured at 34 psi and at 28 psi?

It was about 78 degrees for the 34 psi and about 68 degrees for the 28 psi

[curtis73]

Pump it back up to 34 and use a spray bottle of soapy water to track down the leak. If you have a big vessel like a kid's swimming pool you can submerge the tire/wheel in it to check for leaks too.

The most common explaination is that you picked up a nail. Roll the car back and forth while watching the tread looking for something metallic poking out. They can be very hidden so look hard.

Next I would check the valve stem with the soapy water. Take the cap off and spray down in the valve. Spray it at the base of the valve stem where it meets the wheel and flex the stem around. See if you get any bubbles.

The next thing I'd check (especially if they're aluminum wheels) is around the bead where the tire meets the wheel. Spray plenty of that soapy water and see if you get any bubbles.

If you take it to a tire shop, usually they only charge $10-20 to repair a flat and that includes the diagnosis which will take them 3 minutes.

[beef_bourito]

another thing you can do, if it's a hole in the tire, is get some of hat tire gunk stuff that seals holes, spray a bunch into the tire, then role it around a bit to get the wall good and covered, let it sit for a couple of seconds and it's fine.
i used that on my dads truck and it lasted for about 4 weeks (with a few burnouts on it) untill he tried to fish out the piece of wood with a metal poker and put a bigger hole in it and got it patched.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by beef_bourito

another thing you can do, if it's a hole in the tire, is get some of hat tire gunk stuff that seals holes, spray a bunch into the tire, then role it around a bit to get the wall good and covered, let it sit for a couple of seconds and it's fine.

A bit of safety advice if you do use the inflatable sealants; 1) the repair is not meant to be permanent, and 2) Be sure and tell the tire technician that you used an inflatable sealant in the tire because special precautions must be used when dismounting a tire with the sealant in it.

[zagrot]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

A bit of safety advice if you do use the inflatable sealants; 1) the repair is not meant to be permanent, and 2) Be sure and tell the tire technician that you used an inflatable sealant in the tire because special precautions must be used when dismounting a tire with the sealant in it.

precautions like not smoking while dismounting your tire. most of the fix-a-flat stuff uses butane as a propellant. it is probably better to just use the spare tire and have the ruined one fixed properly anyway.

when you have to fix a punctured tire just get a patch, they work better any way. most of the better tire shops are now using a one piece patch/plug combination thing now. the patch glues to the inside of the tire to seal air leaks and the plug fills the hole so water will not be able to rust the steel belts. those asphalt and cord quickie plugs are supposed to be really bad for that, but i still keep a kit in my spare tire well because anything more permenant requires dismounting the tire. if you have expensive tires or just don't want to mess with a failing plug later on have a patch installed.

[CBFryman]

the inflateable tire repairs are bad for your tires, after a wile the stuff falls off and bounces around in your tire...not good.
however that green goop stuff is sapposed to be 100% safe.